Padlock opener



Dec. '13, 1949 J. L. STRANGMAN PADLOCK OPENER 2 Sheet-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 18, 1945 Flu INVENTOR.

JOHNNI E L. STRANGMAN 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. JOHNNIE L. STRANGMAN J. L. STRANGMAN PADLOCK OPENER IITH! Dec. 13, 1949 Filed Sept, 18, 1945 Patented Dec. 13, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PADLOCK OPENER Johnnie L. Strang'man, Monterey, Calif.

Application September 18, 1945, Serial No. 617,075

7 Claims.

This invention relates to a padlock opener.

An object of this invention is the production of a device for opening pin-tumbler type padlocks without the use of keys or picks.

It is to be understood that this device operates by striking the pin side" of the padlock, which is the'side on which the pins are located. The pin side" of the lock is pounded by the hammer of the lock-opening device by squeezing the trigger of the device by the operator.

The impact against the pin side of the lock causes the free end of each pin in the lock to act as an individual hammer, striking the portion of the pin located in the frame or casing of the lock. The pins are thereby forced to move in the desired directionthe same direction as the proper key for the lock would force them if the key were inserted in the lock.

'Another object of the invention is the construction of a novel and eflicient device in which the padlock being operated upon is held'in a most efiicient manner.

A still further object of the invention is the construction of a" padlock opener which is similar in general outline to an automatic pistol, the device possessing a portion constituting a stock, as well asa portion constituting a barrel.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, my invention comprises certain novel constructions; combinations and arrangements of parts as will be hereinafter" fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and more particularly' pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a pad lock opener constructed in accordance with'this invention.

Figure'2 is a horizontal sectional view taken enline'fZ-Z, Fig. 1, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional View taken on line 3'3, Fig. 1', and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the tension t'ool'.

Figure 5 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken. on line 55, Fig. 1, and looking in the direction of thearrows.

Figure 6 is an enlarged view, partly in e1evati'on and partly in vertical section of the spring tension device, while Figure 7 is a bottom plan view of same, taken on line 1-1, Figure 6, and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 8" is a sectional view" taken on line 8-8;

3 within the frame l.

2 Fig. 6, and looking in the direction'of the arrows.

Referring to the drawings, in which the preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated, l designates the stock or frame of the device and 2 is the barrel. The stock or frame I has a trigger 3 therein, which is pivotally mounted at t. Pivotally attached to trigger 3 at 5 is a latch 6. An L-shaped arm 1 is pivotal-1y mounted at The arm 1 is bifurcated at its upper end (Fig. 1); this bifurcated end has pin 9, Fig. 5, fitting therein, which pin is carried by ears It; these ears H] are integral with the bottom of the block II, which block constitutes the hammer of the device. A filler I2 is in the outer end of block H, and this filler can be constructed of wood or any suitable material. Diiierent padlocks require different amounts of tension in order for the device to operate. Spring 39 must be wound to a position of desired tension prior to inserting tension tool 31 into the cylinder slot of the padlock to be opened. The only function of the ratcheting means 44 and 45 is to temporarily hold that tension. That is to hold wheel 43 from turnin back until tension tool 31 is inserted into the cylinder of the padlock to be opened. After tension tool 31 is inserted, pawl G5 is disengaged from wheel 43 andthe' woundup tension of spring 39 is applied through tension tool '3'! to the lock cylinder of the padlock to be opened The latch 6 normally fits or hooks over a pinl3, carried by the arm I. On the latch 6 is a curved slot l4 that acts as a cam. A pin [5 ison the frame I so that when the operator pulls r'e'ar- Wardly on the trigger lever 3, the pin rides forward in curved slot l4, raising the hook end of the latch 6 on pin l3, releasing the arm 1,

whereby the hammer block H can move for-- ward. Arm I moves forward after latch 6 breaks contact with pin l3 because of the design of slot [4. A coil spring I6 is attached at one end to the latch 6, Fig. 1, and its other end isfixedly attached to a frame I. This spring acts to normally hold the latch 6 in engagement with pin [3. A coil spring I! is fastened at one end to the trigger lever 3 and its other end is fastened to pin l8 carried by frame I. A large coil spring 19 is fastened at one end to pin [8 and its other end is fastened to the lower outer end of arm I.

A screw 20 is threaded through the end of the frame I (Fig. 2) and this screw has a cupped washer 2| secured thereto. On the block or hammer H is a sleeve 22. A coil spring 23" is in sleeve 22 and also surrounds part" of screw 20. When the block II is moved to the right, by operating trigger 3 and arm 1, spring 23 is compressed within sleeve 22. Then, when the latch 6 has moved upwardly, at its outer end, by action of pin I in slot [4, the spring 23, together with the large spring l9, will cause the hammer block II to create a strong blow on a padlock held in the frame.

A block 24 is in the barrel 2 of the device. This block or anvil has a filler 25, the same as filler l2. A screw 26 is in the end contiguous to block 24, and the inner end of screw 26 fits into a holder member 21. By this construction, the block 24 can be adjusted within the barrel 2.

A pair of screws 28 is on the frame I. Each screw 28 fits in a slot 23. On each screw 28 is a flanged nut 30. This nut 38 is slidably mounted in slot 29. On the inner end of each screw 28 is a hard rubber tip 3 I. When a padlock is placed in the device, between fillers l2 and 25, the screws 28 are adjusted so that their tips 3! tightly clamp the padlock. As there is some movement of the padlock in the barrel, during the action of the hammer l l, the screws 23 and nuts 3t may have a slight sliding movement, while at the same time, the screws are tightly clamping the padlock. One of the slots 23 has an enlarged portion 32 at one end, which allows the placing of the nut 30 in slot 29; in fact, it is necessary to have both slots 29 provided with the enlargement 32 for the placing of nuts 38.

The tension device 33 comprises a casing 34, which is furnished with two flat ears 35; these cars 35 are slotted (Fig. '7) and normally rest against the bottom of the barrel, as shown in Figure 1. Suitable fastening means extends through the slots of ears 35, fastening the device 33 to the barrel 2. A nut unit 36 is rotatably mounted upon casing 34, and has a tension tool 31 extending therethrough. This tool 37 is securely fastened upon the nut unit 33 by means of a set screw 38. Within casing 3 5 is a coil spring 39, which spring is fastened at its outer end to pin it, while its inner end is fastened at M to the sleeve 42, through which tension tool 31 extends. A ratchet wheel 43 is secured to nut unit 36, this wheel 13 being provided with ratchet teeth 44. A pawl 35 is pivotally mounted at 46 upon the casing 33 and is held normally in engagement with the teeth 44 by means of spring H. The lock to be opened is placed in the device with its sides parallel with the sides of the device. The pin side of the look is placed toward hammer i I. Hammer block ll strikes the lock on its edge. The tension tool extends through slot 18, Fig. 2, and into the key slot of the padlock when held by the screws 28. This tension device has only one purpose: it applies tension in a circular motion on the cy inder of the padlock being opened. Putting circular pressure on the cylinder of the padlock results in putting a binding pressure on the tumblers in the look. This circular tension is the necessary pressure commonl used in the conventional method of picking pin-tumbler looks with ordinary picks.

The frame l is provided with a cover plate and the barrel 2 is also provided with a cover plate Eli. By means of these plates 33 and til, inspection of the interior of the device can obtained when the operator desires.

To facilitate the placing of a padlock in position, the barrel 2 of the device is formed with a cut-out ornarrow portion 52, Fig. 1, just above the slots 29.

In operation, the springs l6 and I9 exert great pressure on the hammer block. The drawing of the latch 6 rearwardly, by the operator pulling on trigger lever 3, causes the springs to be stetched, but just before the rearward limit of the trigger lever 3 is reached, the cam slot [4 acts to release the hook end of the latch 6 from arm i, whereupon the forward stroke of the hammer block is permitted.

It is to be understood that the tension tool 3'l must have the proper amount of tension for each individual padlock. It is possible to wind spring 39 prior to the insertion of the tension tool 31. The padlock to be opened must be allowed to rebound a short distance endwise between the iillers l2 and 25. This is possible by reason of the thumb screws 28 being threaded glgirough nuts 36 that can move endwise in slots Tension of spring 23 can be controlled by rotating the screw 28 with washer 2|.

While I have described the preferred embodiment of my invention and illustrated the same in the accompanying drawings, certain minor changes or alterations may appear to one skilled in the art to which this invention relates during the extensive manufacture of the same, and I, therefore, reserve the right to make such changes or alterations as shall fairly fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a padlock opener, the combination of a frame including a stock and a barrel, an anvil and a hammer in said barrel, said anvil and hammer in alignment and spaced from each other, a trigger lever pivotally mounted upon said stock, an L-shaped arm pivotally mounted upon said stock, said L-shaped arm provided with a pin, a latch pivotally connected to said trigger lever, said latch being normally in engagement with said pin, said L-shaped arm pivotally connected to said hammer, and said trigger lever, latch, and L-shaped arm being provided with spring means for normally holding same in a set position.

2. In a padlock opener, the combination of a frame comprising a stock and a barrel, an anvil and a hammer slidabl mounted within said barrel, said anvil and hammer in alignment and spaced from each other, said barrel provided with a pair of clamping means on its sides between said anvil and said hammer, a rotatable tension device on said barrel and provided with a tension tool, said tension tool being located between said clamping means, and manually operated means on said stock and connected to said hammer for operating said hammer.

3. In a padlock opener, the combination of a frame comprising a stock and a barrel, said frame provided in said barrel with a slidable anvil and a slidable hammer, said anvil and hammer being in alignment and spaced from each other said barrel provided in its sides between said anvil and hammer with slots, screws in said slots, nuts in said slots and slidably mounted therein, said screws extending through said nuts, arotatable tension device on said barrel betweensaid screws and nuts, and said stock provided with manually operated means connected to said slidable hammer for operating same.

, In a padlock opener, the combination with a frame including a stock and a barrel, of a slidable anvil and a slidable hammer in said barrel, said anvil and hammer being in alignment and spaced from each other, manually operated means for said hammer, manually operated means on one end of said barrel and engaging said anvil for adjusting said slidable anvil to different positions upon said barrel, clamping means on said barrel between said anvil and hammer, a rotatable tension device on said barrel between said clamping means, said rotatable tension device provided with a casing, a coil spring in said casing, a tension tool extending through said casing and into said barrel, means supporting said tension tool upon said coil spring, and means fastening said spring to said casing.

5. In a padlock opener, the combination of a frame including a stock and a barrel, an anvil and a hammer in said barrel, said anvil and hammer being in alignment and spaced from each other a yieldable rotatable tension tool extending into said barrel between said anvil and hammer, clamping means on the sides of said barrel for clamping a padlock, said rotatable tension tool between said clamping means, and said stock provided with manually operated means connected to said hammer for operating said hammer.

6. In a padlock opener, the combination of a frame including a stock and a barrel, a hammer in said barrel, said barrel provided with clamping means for clamping a padlock, said barrel provided with a tension device between said clamping means, said stock provided with spring actuated means connected to said hammer for moving said hammer in one direction for operating upon a padlock, and also with manually operated means connected to said hammer for operating said hammer.

7. In a padlock opener, the combination of a frame including a stock and a barrel, aligned anvil and hammer in said barrel, said anvil and hammer being spaced apart within said barrel, a, rotatable tension device on said barrel and provided with a tool extending between said anvil and hammer, spring means in said stock and connected to said hammer for moving the hammer in one direction, and manually operated means in said stock and connected to said hammer for moving said hammer in an opposite direction to the movement caused by said spring means. I

JOHNNIE L. STRANGMAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

